Deputy wounds Walgreens robber

Tue, 12/29/2009 - 11:49amBen Nelms

Fayetteville resident David Schumate, 34, has been charged with multiple felonies in the Dec. 26 armed robbery of the Walgreens pharmacy on North Glynn Street in Fayetteville. Schumate is in stable condition after being shot by Fayette Sheriff's Deputy Thomas Mindar when Schumate pointed a weapon as officers approached him.

According to Fayetteville Police spokesperson Steve Crawshaw, Schumate pointed a gun at customers and demanded money. He then entered the pharmacy area, pointed the gun at the pharmacist and demanded access to the drugs, Crawshaw said. Schumate then told the pharmacist to leave. After the pharmacist left, Schumate attempted to close the security barriers to the pharmacy, said Crawshaw.

Fayetteville police, Deputy Mindar and Fayette county marshal’s officers arrived at the scene and were told that all employees and customers were out of the store and that a man with a gun was in the pharmacy, Crawshaw said.

Crawshaw said officers and the deputy entered the store and began searching for the man, finding Schumate in the pharmacy. When officers approached Schumate, he brandished a gun and moved toward the officers, said Crawshaw.

Mindar fired two shots, striking Schumate in the shoulder and abdomen, said Crawshaw, and officers were able to take Schumate into custody without further incident.

He was treated at the scene, then transported by ambulance to Grady Hospital. His injuries were not life threatening and he is in stable condition at Grady Hospital, Crawshaw said.

The weapon Schumate had used turned out to be a pellet gun and was recovered by officers, said Crawshaw.

Schumate was charged with five counts of aggravated assault, one count of aggravated assault on a police officer and one count of armed robbery, Crawshaw said. Other charges may be pending, Crawshaw added.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation was contacted to investigate the shooting portion of this incident as required by Sheriff’s Office policy. The Sheriff’s Office will also conduct an internal review. Fayetteville Police are conducting the robbery investigation, according to Sheriff Wayne Hannah.

Also, as standard procedure, Mindar — who ran for sheriff in 2008 and came in fourth — was placed on administrative leave during the investigation, per department policy, Hannah said.

The GBI this week cleared Mindar in the shooting and the deputy is expected to return to duty immediately, Hannah said.

According to the Georgia Department of Corrections, Schumate has never served any prison time in Georgia. Also, local court records indicate Schumate has never been charged with a felony or misdemeanor in Fayette County’s State Court.